Randy Moss is taking plenty of heat, and probably deservedly so, for his assertion this week that he is the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL, a point that analyst Jerry Rice has enjoyed picking apart.

The San Francisco 49ers’ role receiver, a 14-year veteran who will play in his second Super Bowl on Sunday, Moss has let his mouth and his actions get him in hot water before. But the soon-to-be 36-year-old has been a vocal leader for the Niners season.

Among those he’s tutored is Colin Kaepernick, the second-year quarterback out of Nevada whom Moss has been seen talking to on the sidelines during games. Most of the talks, the players have said, have centered around Moss’ confidence in Kaepernick. Moss makes it a point to reassure him, usually with an arm around Kaepernick’s shoulders.

And on Wednesday, at the team’s news conference at its hotel, the Marriott, Moss gushed in his admiration for the young star.

“(Kaepernick) has come into being our starting quarterback with his eyes forward,” said Moss, whose team faces the Baltimore Ravens at the Superdome. “(He’s) not looking on either side of the road. Just keep it straight forward. I would say his preparation because when he came in, everybody makes mistakes, but you could see some of the mistakes he was making and now he is ready to lead. That is something you can appreciate in a quarterback.”

Moss was especially complimentary of Kaepernick’s toughness, inside and out.

“I think his inner toughness is as tough as his outer,” he said. “I like him. I really do. I like everything that he does and everything that he stands for – the kissing of the tattoos and all of that. I like him, I really do. I am a fan of his.”

PROUD PARENTS

Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, the parents of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Ravens coach John Harbaugh, held a news conference Wednesday to talk about being the parents of the first set of brothers to coach against each other in the Super Bowl.

But before they fielded a question, Jack Harbaugh told a side story.

Jack, who coached at Western Michigan and Western Kentucky, said he took a football-coaching class in college. The instructor told the students the most important thing they could do if they wanted to be a successful coach was to marry wisely.

“I guarantee the only advice that I know I listened and followed from the great coach Doyt Perry was the ‘Marry wisely’ part,” Jack said. “Jackie Harbaugh is the foundation of this Harbaugh family. She is the rock of our family. She’s the one that moved us 17 times in a 43 year coaching career. … This is my hero right here, Jackie Harbaugh. You’re going to ask us how we feel on this historic day? Jackie, who has it better than us? Nobody!”

Added Jackie: “We’re so excited for John and Jim to be in this situation but we’re also really excited for the players and their families. This is a huge event for them and I just am thrilled that some of them, this is their first time in this situation, so I can imagine how all those mothers and fathers feel about their sons being in this situation.”

PRACTICE TIME

The teams on Wednesday went through their first practices since arriving in New Orleans, the 49ers on Sunday and the Ravens on Monday.

The 49ers were able to use the New Orleans Saints’ facility in Metarie, five miles northwest of downtown New Orleans.

“(I’m) very excited,” Jim Harbaugh said during his Wednesday morning news conference before practice. “Everybody is attacking this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Every coaching room is aglow with video on from earlier this morning.”

The Ravens went to Tulane University but could not use the football field because it was being renovated. They painted lines on the baseball field and practiced there instead.

“We had a bunch of guys last night studying tape,” John Harbaugh said. “The guys were really fired up to get to the football part of it this morning. We’ll take a little break for this and then we’ll get back for meetings after lunch and then we’ll head out for practice at Tulane. We had a chance to tour the facility yesterday, and they did a great job over there. So we’re looking forward to that.”

49ER LINEBACKERS LIMITED IN PRACTICE

Two of the 49ers’ most important defensive players were limited in practice Wednesday.

Linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith were both on the “limited participation” list that the league released Wednesday afternoon. Both of them have shoulder issues.

Both are expected to play Sunday. No other player on either team was on the “limited” list.

OFFICIATING CREW NAMED

Referee Jerome Boger will lead the seven-man officiating crew, the NFL announced Wednesday.

The other members are umpire Darrell Jenkins, head linesman Steve Stelljes, line judge Byron Boston, field judge Craig Wrolstad, side judge Joe Larrew and back judge Dino Paganelli.

The crew collectively has 77 years of NFL officiating experience and 50 combined playoff game assignments.